About GEM Martial Arts
I Am. Two of the most powerful words. For what we say after them is what shapes our reality.
A little about
GEM Martial ARTS
GEM Martial Arts is about learning, family, helping our community, and becoming better people.
We work with children and adults of all ages. We have even taught people in wheelchairs!
We teach Isshinryu. Isshinryu means One Heart Way and is an Okinawan martial art founded by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku in 1953. Classes are fun and exciting!
About the owner
Renshi Gail
“I take great pride in teaching, and love seeing students learn and grow; as both karateka and humans.”
Sensei Gail started her karate training in 1997, when her son, Zachary, won a few lessons at a karate demonstration. After many hours of training, she earned her first-degree black belt and spent the next eleven years managing and teaching at a large dojo in the area. In 2011, she decided it was time for a break and left her home dojo.
That summer, a friend, who owned a local dojo, contacted Sensei Gail asking if she might be interested in teaching his children’s classes. After much thought and consideration, she agreed, and started that fall. A few months later, in December, she was teaching all the classes, and GEM Martial Arts came to be.
It is Sensei’s belief that everyone should have the opportunity to train in and reap the benefits of the Martial Arts. Because of this belief, GEM MA has part-time and full-time programs. We do not use contracts and our tuition price can’t be beat.
Sensei Gail earned her fifth-degree black belt in 2016 and holds the rank of Renshi (teacher of teachers).
About the owner
“I take great pride in teaching, and love seeing students learn and grow; as both karateka and humans.”
Sensei Gail started her karate training in 1997, when her son, Zachary, won a few lessons at a karate demonstration. After many hours of training, she earned her first-degree black belt and spent the next eleven years managing and teaching at a large dojo in the area. In 2011, she decided it was time for a break and left her home dojo.
That summer, a friend, who owned a local dojo, contacted Sensei Gail asking if she might be interested in teaching his children’s classes. After much thought and consideration, she agreed, and started that fall. A few months later, in December, she was teaching all the classes, and GEM Martial Arts came to be.
It is Sensei’s belief that everyone should have the opportunity to train in and reap the benefits of the Martial Arts. Because of this belief, GEM MA has part-time and full-time programs. We do not use contracts and our tuition price can’t be beat.
Sensei Gail earned her fifth-degree black belt in 2016 and holds the rank of Renshi (teacher of teachers).
Meet the Senseis
head instructor
Sensei Zach started karate in 1997 under Sensei Charlie Michels. He trained on and off for about 3 years, and then full time until receiving his First Degree Black Belt in 2007. Throughout the many years of training Sensei Zach has also won Grand Champion in Kata, Kobudo, and Kumite in multiple OIKKA tournaments. Currently, he is a 5th Degree Black Belt, and Head Instructor at GEM Martial Arts. Sensei Zach is an exciting, and passionate teacher, who is full of knowledge, and relates to the kids really well. His dedication to the art, and his students, is inspiring!
Sensei Morgan Wright
assistant instructor
Sensei Morgan, has been doing martial arts for almost 11 years and teaching for about 7. He is currently a full time student at SUNY Geneseo as a biology major. His athletic abilities and great imagination allow him to be able to come up with creative class activities and warmups.
Sensei Drew Miller
assistant instructor
Drew, 16, has been training at GEM Martial Arts for 6 years. At GEM he works with kids teaching new skills and helping to work on techniques they have already learned. A quote his dad has always told him is “do your best and forget the rest”. He likes to apply this into everyday life and karate. This is something that he chooses to instill while teaching each one of my students.
something about Kyoshi Charlie Michels – need copy/image and to know where his info should go
something else about OIKKA and Hanshi Chris Chase with link to OIKKA page
something else about Kumite and Kobudo – are these things that your readers will need to know. We don’t want to put things on your site because YOU think they are important but because the parents checking out your school think they are. If these should be included, I’m thinking on the Programs page (that is, if you’d like to include them in the class descriptions or something to that effect)